United States Congressman Riley Moore has declared that President Donald Trump remains fully committed to targeting extremist groups in Nigeria, framing the recent assassination of global ISIS deputy Abu-Bilal al-Minuki as a direct warning against the persecution of Nigerian Christians.
United States Congressman Riley Moore has stated that President Donald Trump is deeply committed to neutralizing terrorist factions responsible for the violent persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The Republican lawmaker made these assertions during an interview with NewsNation anchor Anna Kooiman on Monday, May 18, 2026. Moore’s remarks came as an immediate reaction to the successful joint military operation between American and Nigerian forces that resulted in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the worldwide second-in-command of ISIS and top strategist for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in Borno State.
In a follow-up statement shared on his official X account, the West Virginia representative emphasized that the precision strike serves as a robust deterrent to violent extremist organizations operating across the West African subcontinent. Moore framed the high-level counter-terrorism mission as a testament to the current administration’s foreign policy priorities regarding global religious freedom and security. He stated that Trump was “laser focused on defending our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria against the slaughter and martyrdom they’ve faced at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists.”
The lawmaker concluded by warning insurgent groups that the United States would maintain an aggressive posture against networks that orchestrate sectarian violence and mass casualties. He reiterated that the successful early-morning raid in the Lake Chad Basin highlights the extended reach of allied intelligence and military capabilities. “The strike on Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, ISIS Number 2 globally, sends a clear message: those who target innocent Christians will be hunted down and brought to justice. Do not test President Trump’s resolve,” Moore said, signaling a sustained U.S. interest in combating transnational terrorism alongside Nigerian authorities.
READ THE FULL STORY IN TRIBUNE
NEWS NOW:
